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Orpik, a free agent at season's end, manhandled Alex Ovechkin for a second consecutive night. In classic Orpik fashion, he shut down Ovechkin with a physical approach.

His teammates noticed.

“I thought Brooks was excellent tonight,” defenseman Rob Scuderi said. “Ovechkin is a tremendous player, and it's not easy being physical against him. But Brooks was great. He really was. He hit him every chance he got. He did a tremendous job of minimizing his impact on the game.”

Ovechkin, who leads the NHL in goals and shots on goal, did not register a shot on goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury during the game's first 50 minutes.

In fact, Ovechkin has been silent against the Penguins all season. Orpik mostly played against Ovechkin in all four matchups this regular season. Ovechkin finished with one goal and no assists, while his team stumbled to an 0-4 record.

“Playing against Ovechkin is not easy,” said rookie defenseman Olli Maatta, Orpik's defense partner the past week. “Brooks did an unbelievable job the past two nights.”

Orpik was credited with seven hits Tuesday and three Monday in Washington. Coach Dan Bylsma said Orpik was more physical Monday.

“He stepped into No. 8 a lot,” Bylsma and. “And he was hard with him.”

The Penguins played well defensively for a second straight game. This one was different, though. During the game in Washington, the Penguins rarely had the puck but scored on the rush and held defensively.

On Tuesday, the Penguins almost exclusively had the puck through the first two periods.

And on the occasion when Ovechkin seemed to have a glimpse at registering a shot, Orpik was there to deny him.

During the past two games, Orpik blocked five shots, two coming against Ovechkin in Tuesday's third period.

“You kind of know coming into a game against Ovi that he's going to get some chances,” left wing Tanner Glass said. “But Brooks hardly gave him anything. His gap (control) was outstanding, and he hit him all night. Brooks was great.”

The Penguins received goals from forwards Sidney Crosby and Jussi Jokinen. Crosby recorded points in all four games against the Capitals this season, finishing with seven.

Fleury, meanwhile, earned his 28th career shutout and fifth of the season, which ties a career high. His biggest moment came in the second period when he made an acrobatic save with his right skate on rookie Evgeny Kuznetsov.

Even Fleury, though, was talking about Orpik.

“I'm lucky to have Brooks,” he said.

Orpik, who has battled injuries during the past few seasons and is playing without regular partner Paul Martin, hasn't always been at his best this season. But with the playoffs five weeks away, he showed his teammates that, come springtime, he'll be ready.

“This is the kind of game we need to play in the playoffs,” Glass said. “And Brooks is the kind of guy who will lead us.”

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